EVERTON FC today launched an investigation into claims travelling fans sang racist songs and taunted Asian passers-by on their way to a match.

Two of the supporters were so horrified they refused to return on the coach which took them to the Blues game against Aston Villa on Saturday.

Season ticket holder Paula Braynion said she felt ashamed as a group of fans made monkey noises at black and Asian passers-by and was further disgusted when 90% of the full coach responded to the singing of "stand up if you hate n*****s".

"Me and my husband were looking forward to the banter and camaraderie of travelling to an away game with other fans.

"Instead we had to endure a torrent of racial abuse."

Mrs Braynion and her husband William, 50, booked the coach journey with Barnes worldwide travel, on County Road, Walton.

She had tried to book places on an official Everton FC club coach but they were all full and says the club recommended she try Barnes instead.

She added: "I feel I have to stand up and say something. I didn't think morons like these still went to football matches. They give our great club a bad name." A spokesman for Everton said the club will investigate the allegations.

He said: "We have received a letter from Mr Braynion regarding these incidents and we are now looking into them as a matter of some urgency."

* No-one from Barnes was available for comment.

gregokeeffe@liverpoolecho.co.uk

Root them out

A SPOKESMAN for the Kick Racism Out of Football organisation said: "We would commend Mrs Braynion for having the courage to speak out and are glad Everton take this seriously and are looking into it.

"This proves that racism is still a problem in football. Fans like this are a minority but they are a very vocal minority.

"The club has done a lot of good work in fighting racism so Everton should try to identify these fans and root them out."